Method of and machine for causing fecundation of plants



5 Sheets-Sheet l l N VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

J. P. T. NIELsx-:N

Filed May 29, 195o METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR CRU-SING FECUNDATION OF PLANTS July 5, 1932.

IGN v J. P. r. NIELsEN 1,866,219 METHOD 0F AND MACHINE FOR CAUSING FECUNDATION OF PLANTS July 5,

Filed May 29. l1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jens 2%767" Wea/w* /Vz'e/sef IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.-

' July 4 5, 193'2. J. P. T NIELsEN METHOD 0F AND MACHINE FOR CAUSING FECUNDATION OF PLANTSl Filed May 29. 1930 As sheets-sheet INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.v

July 5, 193?. 1,866,219

METHOD oF .AND MACHINE Fon cAUsING FEcUNDATIoNoF PLANTS J. P. T. NrlELsEN .Filed u'ay 29.' 1930 5 sheets-sheet 4 Y m 1 A u lsi 1.25:... ser,...

INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

J. P. NIELSEN METHD OF AND MACHINE FOR CAUSING FECUNDATION OF PLANTS Filed May 29, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

sus

Patented July 5, A1932 TES UNITED STA JENS PIETERl THEODOR NIELSEN, OF LAKE BENTON, MINNESOTA METHOD on ANDMACHINE Fon cAUsrNG FEcUNDATioN or ELANTS Application led May29,

The present invention relates to a method fof and a machine for causing fertilization Other objects land advantages of ymy in-` vention will becomeapparent as the nature of the latter is better understood, andthe invention consists inthe novel` method and machine construction hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, andclaimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of a fecundating kmachine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 Y is a vertical longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Figure l. A

Figure 3 is avertical transverse section on line 3- -3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse section through the pressing mechanisms of an adjacent'pairvof the devices, for rubbing and pressing the blossoms of plants, as shown in Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of a modified form of pressing mechanism.

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 6--6 of Figure 5. i j j Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a fecundating machine having a `further modified form 'of rubbing and pressing devices.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section on line'8-8 of Figure 7. j Y

Figure 9 is a transverse sectionon line 9 9 of Figure 8. Y

Figure l0 1s a view similar toFigure 7 of 1930. serial No. 457,257. A j y 'a machine having'a still further modified form of rubbing and pressing devices.V4 j y Figure ll is a fragmentary transverse section on line'll-ll of Figure 10.y i i Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 55 of a machinefhaving still another modified formof rubbingy and pressing devices; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary transverse section on line 13j-13 of Figure l2. Y i i Referring more in detailr'to the drawings, 0 the form Vof the invention Villustrated iny Figures l to l inclusive includes a main frame v `'having co-axial supporting wlieel's 6,' and provided with atongue 7 ,vor shafts, to provide means whereby a horse may be hitched to the machine for the purpose of pulling it overthe ground. Suspended from the main frame 5 between the supporting .wheels is a sub-frame 8, and carried by thev mainframe i. ylandoperatively connectedtotlie sub-frame ""q 8` are adjusting screws9 by means of which the rsub-'frame 8 may be'vertically adjusted, for a purpose which will presently become apparent. Y i.. y Carriediby 'they subfframe 8 are a plurality "f5 Yof Zspaced* mechanical l devices for rubbing and applying pressure to opposite sides of the `blossoms of plants. In this'form of the invention, each of said kdevices 'includes' a pair of rearwardly converging rubbing eleso ments l0 and a pair of spaced pressing elementsll rearwardly between which the rubbing elements 10 project. As shown, each rubbing element consists of a bunch of fibres or bristles attached to the sub-frame 8 fore5 wardly of the pressing elements l1, and freevly flexible laterally at their rear end portions. The pressing' elements "11 consist of sheet metalplate's hinged at their lower ends as indicated' at l2 'to swing laterally on a horie0 zontaljaxis, whereby the pressing elements of each. pair aremovable toward and from each otheragainst opposite sides ofthe plants passing therebetween as clearly illustrated in N Figure, and it will'be noted that whenthe D5 y pressing elements l1 are swungtoward each otherp'they assume a downwardly diverging relation so as to provide clearance for thel lower portions of the'plants where the foliage is thicker. Extending longitudinally be- "100 tween the pressing elements 11 of each adj acent pair is a horizontal shaft 13 carrying an eccentric 14 which has an eccentric strap or lring 15 operatively associated therewith.

The eccentric ring 15 is operatively connected to the pressing elements or plates 11 of adj acent pairs by means of connecting rods 16, and it will thus be seen that when the shafts 13 are rotated, the pressing elements 11 of each pair are alternately swung toward and away frolneach other to intermittingly apply pressureupon opposite sides of the blossoms of the plants passing between the paths of pressing elements, as the machine is drawn ahead. Springs 17` may be interposed between the adjacent pressing elements of adj acent pairs to assistf in .swinging them apart 4,oriy in the Adirection wherein the pressing operation is affected. It'will be noted that .the subg-frainehas'spaced depending portions Sa upon which are mountedsupporting plates'lS toy which the pressingelements- 11 off adjacentpairs: are pivotally connected at 12 asmentioned above.` In orderto simultaneously drive. allof the shafts 13 for actuation of the several pressing elements, the `*sub-frame Sfhas atransverse counter-shaft `19K'journalled vat therear thereof, said shaft Y1,9 being 4geared at 20'Y tothe rear ends of: the shafts 13, and operatively connected at one end by sprocket gearing' or the like with th'ezhub` of the adjacent supporting'wheel 6. Obviously, by operating the adjusting screws 9the sub-frame 8 may be vertically. adjustedl to regulate the'height "of the rubbingvand pressing devices above the surface of the ground, in accordance with the sizeof the plants being treated. l f n V n 1 Carried at the front lower portioniof each depending portion Savof the sub-frame 8f vis a guide or deflector finger22,fsimilar tothe guard 'fingers of mowers, binders and harvesters. In other words, theffingers 22 are of pointed or tapered` formy and, 'being -arranged between adjacent pairs of rubbing and pressing devices deeet the plants between said pairs of devices forbeing properly yoperated upon thereby. Journaled in the forwardpart of the sub-frame V8 above the deiiector fingers 22 and forwardly of the rubbing and pressing Adevices is a shaft 23 carrying transverse rotating reels 24 somewhat similar to those found on binders and harvesters. The. shaft 23 is operatively connected at one end by means of a sprocket gearing`25 or the like with Vthe hub of the other supporting wheel 6 thus. providing for positively rotating the reels 24, in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2, Vupon Aforward travel of the machine. It isfthus apparent that the reels. provide means for Iforcingthe upper portions of the plants rearwardly andy downwardly between the rubbiligv and` pressing devices forI more. .ositiveV action thereon and. sothaty rub ing and pressing of the blossoms of the plants will be insured even though the vertical dimensions of said devices does not correspond with the height of the portions of the plants carrying the blossoms.

From the above description, it is believed that the general purpose and operation of the invention will be understood. However, it is noted that upon forward travel of the machine the pressing elements 1l will be rapidly swung back and forth, in a lateral direction so as to cause the pressing elements of each pair'to movev towardand away from each other.Y As the plants are forced rearwardly by the reel 24, they are guided between the rubbing and pressing devices by the fingers 22, whereupon the rubbing devices or bristles 10 provide for a rubbing action on the opposite sides .of the blossoms of thev plants while the'pressing Aelements l1 exert a slight pressure thereon from opposite .sides and intermittentlyf. In thisv way the pods of the blossoms are broken to release the stamensand cause distributionof the pollen. lThe machine illustrated is particularly designed for use where the alfalfa is Vplanted in straight rows. However, in case the plants are derived from seeds sown broadcast, all .O f the plants may beieifectively treated by simply providing' a second row of rubbingy and pressing devices behind the row shown with the devices of4 one row staggered or alternated with respect to those ofthe other row, as well as ,arranged at a 'slightly difvvas operatively geared totheilatter by means of a sprocket gearing 27. `The forward end of the shaft 26 carries a double lobe cam 28 arranged' to bear upon opposed abutments 29 rigid with Aand projecting laterally from. opposite sides of' theadjacent elementslla as showny in Figure''.V This provides a more direct actuation of the ele.- ments 11a.. through. the rigid abutments 29, as compared to the eccentric 14,; eccentric ring 15 and connecting rods16`-, Otherwise, the construction of Figures 5 and 6 is substantially the. same as that shown in- Figures 1 to4'inclusive. A i

In Figures 7 and 8, the` rubbing and pressing devices consistv in pairs ofl spaced horizontal driven belts 30 operatively geared to the sub-shaft 13a and arranged in pairsdfisposedV in ydownwardly diverging relation as wardly in harmony with the direction of travel of the machine, suitable means being provided as at 31 for yieldably pressing the inner strands of adjacent belts towardk each other so that slight pressure is applied upon opposite sides of the blossoms of the plants passing therebetween. This pres-` sure, combined with the rearward travel of the adjacent belts 30 provides for the neces sary rubbing and pressing action substantially equivalent to that provided by the elements 10 and 11 in Figures. 1 to 4 inclusive. Except for the substitution of the belts 30 and the yieldable means 31 for the elements 10 and 11, the construction of Figures 7 to 9 inclu-sive is substantially the same as shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

The construction illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 corresponds with that of Figures 7 to 9 inclusive except that the belts 30a travel in a vertical direction as indicated by the arrow in these figures. To accomplish this, the upper roller for each belt is'carried by a shaft 13b Vsubstituted for the shaft .13a and operatively geared to the shaft 19. The belts 30a also have yieldable means 31a for pressing the inner strands thereof to each other as regards the belts of adjacent pairs, as shown clearly in Figure 11.

The form of invention illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 provides for the arrangement of pairs of vertical conical rubbing elements 32 in place of the rubbing and pressing elements 10 and 11. The conical elements 32 may be in the nature of rotary fibrous brushes driven by a shaft 13e geared to the shaft 19 and arranged with their smaller ends lowermost to provide for the downwardly Vincreasing space between the elements as shown in Figure 13. However, the devices 32 may consist of hollow cones having internal springs, or of yieldable resilient material such as sponged rubber or the like.

In any event, they will be of a resilient or yieldable nature so as to apply general pressure to opposite sides of the blossoms of the plants standing therebetween, at the same time exerting a rubbing action on the blossoms by reason of the rotation of said elements 32. Otherwise, the construction of Figures 12 and 13 is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive,

and the general functionand operation is likewise similar.

Several different embodiments of the invention have been illustrated to clearly show that the general invention may be carried out in many different ways. The construction or type of machine employed will depend greatly upon the surrounding circumstances such as the density of growth encountered, the favorable or unfavorable condition of the blossoms being operated upon, and the funds .available for` providing the equipment. Obviously, one form of the invention may not befquite soreconomical toy manufacture as another, but in spaced mechanical devices to rub and press E86 the blossoms of plants therebetween, said devices embodying mechanically actuated moving pressing elements and yieldable rubbing elements.`

2. A fecundating machine comprising spaced mechanical devices to rub and press p any casel a reasonableopery 4ation 1s insured.y r f im the blossoms of plants therebetween, and f means for forcing the upper portions of the plants between said devices.

3. A fecundating machine comprising spaced mechanically actuated devices to rub and press the blossoms of plants therebetween, said devices providing a space therebetween which increases downwardly to conform to the thickness of the foliage of the ried by said frame, andmechanical means for f driving said elements, said elements being arranged in pairs disposed side by side, and means for divertingthe plants between the elements of each pair.

6. A machine for the plants, including a wheeled frame, movable blossom pressing and rubbing elements carried by said frame, means for driving said elements, said elements being arranged in pairs disposed side by side, means for diverting the plants between the elements of each pair, and means for forcing the upper portions of said plants rearwardly and downwardly between said elements.

7. A machine for the plants, including a wheeled frame, movable blossom pressing and rubbing elements carried by said frame, mechanical means for driving said elements, said elements being arranged in pairs disposed side by side, means for diverting the plants between the elements of each pair, and means for simultaneously vertically adjusting said elements.

8. A fecundating machine comprising` spaced devices to rub and press the blossoms fecundation of fecundation of i fecundation of '12 viizo fles of plantsthei'ebeim/een,-v said devices embodying' movable pressing. elements, ja'nd mechaniealmeans to move said: pressing ele- 9. A fecundating machine. comprising spaced movable' elements to r`u`b' and` press the blossoms of plants therebetween, meehanical Vmeans to actuate said movablel ele'- ments,v and' means' to vertically adjust said elements".V Y

In testimony whereof I aiix my signatue.

JNS PETER THEODOR IELS'EN: 

